2020 NBA Draft: Danny Ainge and the Celtics hold three choices as selection process is set to begin – The Boston Globe

Track every pick here.

Good breakdown of Madar – 11:55 p.m.

Dame Lillard loves Pritchard – 11:51 p.m.

What you need to know about Nesmith – 11:48 p.m.

Our guy Conor Roche has already put together a look at what you need to know about Aaron Nesmith, including the fact that he almost went to Harvard.

Scouting report: Yam Madar at No. 47 – 11:43 p.m.

The Celtics have selected guard Yam Madar at No. 47 overall. Courtesy of STATS, here’s a quick scouting report:

Name: Yam Madar

Position: Guard

OVERVIEW: This point guard from Israel has gained some international attention. He began his professional career more than two years ago.

He has the profile of a point guard, listed at 6-feet-3 and 180 pounds. He moves well enough to avoid being taken advantage of because of his slender build.

Madar is a playmaker more than a scorer and he seems comfortable in that role.

His scoring numbers are often ordinary at best, though he put up 15.9 points per game in the 2019 U20 European Championships. That helped his team to the gold medal.

His shooting often comes on the move but there’s not a high volume of information about how he might stack up as a spot-up shooter.

There are several reports out there that Madar’s use of both hands when handling the ball helps make him unpredictable and difficult to defend.

ANALYSIS: His defense is largely connected to steals, and how he rates as a straight-up defender at a higher level is difficult to determine. This is likely an area that needs to be addressed. He’ll do some things extremely well fundamentally on the defensive end, usually aware of the benefit of getting a hand up on shooters and things of that nature.

He could receive some high grades as a student of the game, something almost expected of a take-charge point guard.

He’s 19 years old so he’s far from a finished product. His quickness could be an asset right away.

Projection: Late second round or undrafted.

Yam Madar taken at No. 47 – 11:43 p.m.

The Celtics have taken guard Yam Madar out of Israel at No. 47.

Nesmith in action – 11:35 p.m.

C’s will take this comp – 11:18 p.m.

Thought this was interesting. If he’s half the player VanVleet is, the Celtics will be very happy.

History of 47th pick – 11:16 p.m.

I’ve got a soft spot for the back-of-the-roster overachievers — second-round picks who are able to rise above and make something of themselves. Guys who go 47th overall and end up making a long-term impact in the NBA are few and far between, but there are still a few. Here are some of our favorites:

2010: Tiny Gallon, University of Oklahoma – Milwaukee; 1999: Todd MacCulloch, University of Washington – Philadelphia; 2006: Paul Millsap, Louisiana Tech University – Utah; 1990: Derek Strong, Xavier University – Philadelphia; 1988: Vernon Maxwell, University of Florida – Denver; 1986: Michael Jackson, Georgetown University – New York; 1985: Gerald Wilkins, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – New York.

Second round underway – 11:06 p.m.

The second round is underway. Right now, the Celtics have the 47th overall choice.

Boston-Memphis swap at No. 30 – 10:55 p.m.

According to Adam Himmelsbach, the Celtics will receive a future draft pick from the Grizzlies in exchange for No. 30, per sources.

Celtics trading out? – 10:54 p.m.

Scouting report: Payton Pritchard – 10:36 p.m.

Name: Payton Pritchard

Position: Guard

College: Oregon

OVERVIEW: Pritchard played the point guard role in college in an ideal manner on many occasions. By the time he was a senior, he had put together a strong career, including capping his time with Oregon as the Pac-12 Player of the Year.

He averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game as a senior.

The offense marked a sizeable jump from 14.5 points as a sophomore and 12.9 as a junior.

His ball handling has been an asset for quite some time. When he added the point production to that, he started gaining more attention regarding his potential to play at the professional level.

He found ways to make teammates around him more productive as well. That’s a trait that he maintained even when he started scoring at a higher clip.

ANALYSIS: His energy and leadership tend to stand out. He has good range on his shot and sometimes has to move back in order to shoot over defenders.

He’s strong with the ball and has a good knack for various situations. He generally appears comfortable when the pace is upbeat.

Despite all the attributes that tend to be in his favor, he’ll look most valuable to a team that needs a player with his makeup. If taken by the wrong team, he might not emerge as a regular-rotation player in the NBA.

He’ll turn 23 years old in January.

Projection: Second round

Celtics take Payton Pritchard at 26 – 10:34 p.m.

Multiple reports indicate that Boston will take Payton Pritchard at No. 26.

No. 26 pick looming – 10:11 p.m.

History of the No. 30 pick – 10:07 p.m.

We’re getting ahead of ourselves, but with the Celtics picking at No. 30, here are a few of the more notable players taken with the 30th selection in the NBA Draft:

2011: Jimmy Butler, Marquette University – Chicago; 2008: J.R Giddens, New Mexico – Boston; 2004: Anderson Varejao, Brazil – Orlando; 2001: Gilbert Arenas, University of Arizona – Golden State; 1996: Othella Harrington, Georgetown University – Houston; 1995: Lou Roe, University of Massachusetts Amherst – Detroit; 1994: Howard Eisley, Boston College – Minnesota; 1993: Gheorghe Muresan, Romania – Washington; 1992: Sean Rooks, University of Arizona – Dallas; 1988: Fennis Dembo, University of Wyoming – Detroit; 1986: Nate McMillan, North Carolina State University – Seattle; 1978: Jeff Judkins, University of Utah – Boston; 1971: Spencer Haywood, University of Detroit Mercy – Buffalo.

Scouting report: Aaron Nesmith – 9:30 p.m.

From STATS

Name: Aaron Nesmith

Position: Guard

College: Vanderbilt

OVERVIEW: Nesmith was the SEC’s leading scorer (23 points per game) before a January foot injury prematurely ended his season. The Vanderbilt product also might be the best 3-point shooter available in this draft. He shot 52.2 percent from beyond the arc on 8.2 attempts per game in 14 games, a massive jump from the 33.7 percent he shot on 5.5 long-range attempts per game in a full freshman season. Nesmith also averaged 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals before the injury. As a freshman, he averaged 11 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 39.2 percent from the field.With a 6-foot-6, 213-pound frame and a 6-10 wingspan, Nesmith already looks like a prototypical NBA wing.

ANALYSIS: Nesmith has a skill that can immediately translate to the NBA and keep him around. He has drawn comparisons to Danny Green and Buddy Hield. Nesmith’s range already stretches out to the NBA 3-point line. He is best coming off screens for catch-and-shoot attempts. But he can also use crafty moves such as the step-back to create space before firing with a sharp release. Nesmith is not the best athlete, though his long arms could help him as a wing defender.

Nesmith also needs work creating for himself and others as a ballhandler and passer. He committed 24 turnovers against just 13 assists this past season. Uncertainty always swirls around players coming off a significant injury, though there is no reported lingering concern about Nesmith’s foot. Still, 14 games is not a huge sample size to evaluate his shooting and production jumps, especially when most were against subpar nonconference opponents.

But Nesmith’s draft stock is helped by the fact that shooting is such a premium skill in the modern NBA. Just look at last year when the Phoenix Suns stunningly drafted Cam Johnson 11th overall.

Celtics take Aaron Nesmith – 9:27 p.m.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said earlier this month that he could look to fill specific needs during this NBA Draft, and when asked what he believed his team needed, his first answer was shooting.

Boston addressed that need with its first selection, taking Vanderbilt’s Aaron Nesmith with the No. 14 overall pick.

Celtics on the clock – 9:25 p.m.

Boston is set to pick at No. 14. Here’s who is off the board:

1. Minnesota — Anthony Edwards

2. Golden State — James Wiseman

3. Charlotte — LaMelo Ball

4. Chicago — Patrick Williams

5. Cleveland — Isaac Okoro

6. Atlanta — Onyeka Okongwu

7. Detroit — Killian Hayes

8. New York — Obi Toppin

9. Washington — Deni Avdija

10. Phoenix – Jalen Smith

11. San Antonio — Devin Vassell

12. Sacramenton — Tyrese Haliburton

13. New Orleans — Kira Lewis

Celtics set to stick at No. 14? – 9:07 p.m.

Reset of top nine picks – 9:05 p.m.

1. Minnesota — Anthony Edwards

2. Golden State — James Wiseman

3. Charlotte — LaMelo Ball

4. Chicago — Patrick Williams

5. Cleveland — Isaac Okoro

6. Atlanta — Onyeka Okongwu

7. Detroit — Killian Hayes

8. New York — Obi Toppin

9. Washington — Deni Avdija

Toppin to the Knicks at No. 8 – 8:55 p.m.

Big get by New York, who reaped the benefits of AP Player of the Year Obi Toppin dropping to No. 8.

Onyeka Okongwu shares emotional moment with mom after getting drafted by Hawks at No. 6 – 8:45 p.m.

Onyeka Okongwu is off the board at No. 6 overall, headed to Atlanta.

He and his mother, Kate, shared a special moment on TV. Watch here:

James Wiseman goes No. 2 to Golden State; LaMelo Ball picked at No. 3 by Charlotte – 8:25 p.m.

It’s official: The NBA has another Ball.

The youngest son of LaVar Ball, and brother to Pelicans player Lonzo, LaMelo Ball is headed to the Hornets.

The Ball brothers are the first sibling duo to be drafted in the top five of their respective drafts.

At No. 2, the Warriors selected James Wiseman, who played three games for Memphis before withdrawing last season.

Timberwolves pick Anthony Edwards – 8:10 p.m.

Anthony Edwards, a guard from Georgia, is the first overall pick.

Player profile:

Though Edwards has drawn comparisons to Bradley Beal and Victor Oladipo, he is not projected as a guaranteed superstar. But he also might be the surest prospect in an unpredictable draft. He is expected to be, at least, a solid role player capable of scoring in bunches.

During a live ESPN interview just before the draft lottery, Edwards said the biggest thing he learned during his college season was how to handle failure.

Edwards also needs to improve his passing and shot selection. Perhaps that will come with more structure on an NBA roster, where he is not the bona fide star free to let it rip.

The Minnesota Timberwolves already have big man Karl-Anthony Towns and point guard D’Angelo Russell on the roster.

History of No. 26 pick – 7:14 p.m.

The Celtics’ second pick of the night is set to be No. 26 overall. History says the 26th overall choice hasn’t yielded much in the way of star power. Here are some notables at that spot from recent drafts.

2012: Miles Plumlee, Duke – Indiana; 2010: Quincy Pondexter, University of Washington — Oklahoma City; 2009: Taj Gibson, University of Southern California – Chicago; 2008: George Hill, IUPUI – San Antonio; 2007: Aaron Brooks, Oregon – Houston; 2006: Jordan Farmar, UCLA – L.A. Lakers; 2002: John Salmons, Miami – San Antonio; 2001: Samuel Dalembert, Seton Hall – Philadelphia; 2000: Mamadou N’diaye, Auburn – Denver; 1999: Vonteego Cummings, Pittsburgh – Indiana; 1994: Charlie Ward, Florida State – New York; 1989: Vlade Divac, Yugoslavia – L.A. Lakers; 1987: Steve Alford, Indiana University – Dallas; 1986: Greg Dreiling, University of Kansas – Indiana.

Draft by the numbers, Part 2 – 7:05 p.m.

A few more numbers for you to consider as the draft draws closer:

2: The Warriors are poised to make the second overall pick in the NBA Draft for the first time in the common draft era (since 1966).

3: The Celtics hold three first-round picks (Nos. 14, 26 and 30) after making three first-round picks last year.

7: Seven players in this year’s draft class have ties to Nigeria. Kansas center Udoka Azubuike and Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa are from Nigeria, and an additional five potential draftees have at least one parent from Nigeria: Isaac Okoro (Auburn), Onyeka Okongwu (USC), Zeke Nnaji (Arizona), Daniel Oturu (Minnesota) and Jordan Nwora (Louisville).

8: Duke center Vernon Carey Jr.’s father, Vernon Sr., played eight NFL seasons as an offensive lineman with the Miami Dolphins.

11: With the 11th selection of the first round, the San Antonio Spurs are preparing to make their highest draft pick since selecting Tim Duncan with the first overall pick in 1997.

12: North Carolina guard Cole Anthony’s father, Greg, now a basketball analyst for Turner Sports, was the 12th pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.

13: There have been 13 international players drafted No. 1 overall, most recently the Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton (Bahamas) in 2018.

19.1: Georgia guard Anthony Edwards was the nation’s freshman scoring leader at 19.1 points per game in the 2019-20 season.

107: Dayton forward Obi Toppin, the 2019-20 consensus National Player of the Year, led the nation and set a single-season school record with 107 dunks last season.

1,512: Vanderbilt guard Saben Lee is the son of former Florida State All-America running back Amp Lee, who rushed for 1,512 yards in the NFL.

2000: IMG Academy forward KJ Martin is the son of Kenyon Martin, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft.

Tommy Knew – 6:52 p.m.

History of No. 14 picks – 6:40 p.m.

The Celtics first pick of the night is No. 14 overall. Here are some of the more notable names who went 14th overall in the NBA draft:

2017: Bam Adebayo, Kentucky – Miami; 2005: Rashad McCants, North Carolina – Minnesota; 2004: Kris Humphries, Minnesota – Utah; 2000: Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State – Detroit; 1996: Predrag Stojakovic, Serbia & Montenegro – Sacramento; 1995: Eric Williams, Providence – Celtics; 1994: Yinka Dare, George Washington – New Jersey; 1992: Malik Sealy, St. John’s – Indiana Pacers; 1989: Tim Hardaway, Texas-El Paso – Golden State; 1988: Dan Majerle, Central Michigan – Phoenix; 1986: Walter Berry, St. John’s – Portland; 1984: Michael Cage, San Diego State – L.A. Clippers; 1983: Clyde Drexler, Houston – Portland .

Timeline for 2020-21 season – 6:25 p.m.

While we’re here, let’s revisit the planned timeline for the 2020-21 season.

•Dec. 11-19, 2020: Preseason games

•Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021: First Half of regular season

•March 5-10, 2021: All-Star break

•March 11 – May 16, 2021: Second Half of regular season

•May 18-21, 2021: Play-In Tournament

•May 22 – July 22, 2021: 2021 NBA Playoffs

Draft by the numbers, Part 1 – 5:50 p.m.

Courtesy of the NBA, here are a few numbers to keep in mind when it comes to the history of the draft:

1: NBA Draft 2020 will be the league’s first virtual draft and the first draft held at ESPN.

7: Seven players have played in the NBA G League before being drafted by an NBA team, the most recent being Alen Smailagić, the 39th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.

10: A college freshman has been selected with the first overall pick in each of the last 10 drafts. The last non-freshman to be the first overall draft pick was Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin in 2009.

14: This marks the 14th consecutive year that Adam Silver will announce draft selections as either deputy commissioner (seven years) or commissioner (seven years including 2020).

107: The distance between Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the venue for the last seven NBA Drafts, and ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut, the site of this year’s draft, is approximately 107 miles.

146: The 2020 NBA Draft will take place 146 days after its originally scheduled date of June 25.

1975: This is the first NBA Draft not held in June since 1975.

1989: The current two-round format for the NBA Draft was adopted in 1989.

Sixers dealing Horford – 5:37 p.m.

Latest mock drafts – 5:18 p.m.

Before things really get rolling tonight, here’s a mock draft roundup of who the pundits believe Boston will take if it sticks at No. 14.

-Bleacher Report: Precious Achiuwa (Memphis, PF/C)

-CBS Sports: Cole Anthony (North Carolina, G)

-Yahoo! Sports: Precious Achiuwa (Memphis, PF/C)

-SI: Precious Achiuwa (Memphis, PF/C)

-ESPN: Precious Achiuwa (Memphis, PF/C)

-The Ringer: R.J. Hampton (New Zealand Breakers, G)

-Sporting News: Kira Lewis (Alabama, G)

Your guide to the NBA Draft – 1:15 p.m.

Need to get caught up on what’s about to go down? Take a look at our draft guide, where we introduce you to the top 10 prospects.

Draft order – 1:00 p.m.

Here’s a look at the draft order. This will be updated as picks come in tonight.

Gary Washburn’s mock draft – 12:00 p.m.

It’s hard to predict what might happen tonight. But let’s try, anyway.

Washburn offered up his own mock draft. He’s got LaMelo Ball going No. 1, and an SEC star headed to the Celtics at No. 14.

Knicks trade up in first round – 9:30 a.m.

ESPN is reporting that the Knicks traded their No. 27 and No. 38 picks to the Jazz for Utah’s No. 23 pick in Wednesday night’s draft.

The Knicks will now pick twice in the first round, at No. 8 and No. 23.

Hawks interested in Hayward – 6:00 p.m.

On Tuesday night, Yahoo! Sports reported that the Hawks, one of the few teams with the salary cap space needed to sign a player like Gordon Hayward, have interest in the forward.

Hayward and the Celtics agreed to push the deadline for his decision to opt in to the final year of his contract to Thursday, after the draft.

Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at cpriceglobe. Katie McInerney can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @k8tmac.